Q: Loss Of Ankle Flexion: I am 20 years old, 175 pounds and 5'10". I have recently started running to warm up before my other workouts during the week. After about 10 minutes of running on a treadmill my left ankle starts to burn and become numb and I can no longer flex it. While running I have to lift my left leg higher to run because I cant flex my ankle to run normally. Its almost like my ankle is no longer there. I am wondering if this is a problem I can fix by stretching or if its something more serious?
--Weston from Colorado
A: Your symptoms are consistent with nerve entrapment in the lower leg, most likely compartment syndrome. The muscles in your lower leg are divided into groups, surrounded by a layer of tissue called fascia; each group or compartment also contains a nerve, artery and vein. When you exercise, your muscles swell. If the swelling is greater than the space available within the compartment, pressure develops on the structures within that compartment. The nerve and blood vessels are compressed, compromising blood flow, and muscle and nerve function. Symptoms resolve when exercise ceases and the swelling resolves.
Running on a treadmill with a soft deck may contribute to your symptoms, so it would be worthwhile to try running outdoors to see if symptoms still develop. If the problem persists, you should see a sports medicine specialist for evaluation. Pressures in the compartments are measured prior to and following exercise. If the pressures are elevated, surgery is the recommended treatment.
--Dr. Cathy Fieseler